Apparatus and methods for providing power and communicating data with electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a system, topology, and architecture for providing power and transceiving data to electronic devices having an interface are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC section 120 as aContinuation of application Ser. No. 13/351,590, entitled “APPARATUS ANDMETHODS FOR PROVIDING POWER AND COMMUNICATING DATA WITH ELECTRONICDEVICES”, and filed on Jan. 17, 2012, the application is considered asbeing part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods forproviding electrical power and communicating data to electronic devices.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It may be desirable to provide power or data to one or more electronicdevices. The present invention includes such a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a simplified isometric view diagram of an electronic device(“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA) accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA combinedexternal power coupling (“PC”) and ED data and power interface (“DPI”)module according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a simplified bottom view diagram of an ED DCPSA combinedexternal PC and ED DPI module according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a simplified back view diagram of an ED DCPSA combinedexternal PC and ED DPI module according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a simplified view diagram of an ED DCPSA ED DPI according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA second EDDPI module according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a simplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPImodule according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1H is a simplified isometric view diagram of another electronicdevice (“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA)according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1I is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA second EDDPI module according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1J is a simplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPImodule according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSAcoupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”)according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSAcoupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”)according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSAcoupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”)according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2D is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSAcoupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”)according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a simplified isometric view diagram of an electronic device(“ED”) (130A, 130B, FIGS. 2A, 2C and 130C, FIGS. 2B, 2D) datacommunication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA) 10A according tovarious embodiments. The DCPSA 10A may include a combined external powercoupling (“PC”) and ED data and power interface (“DPI”) module 20, asubstantially flat cable module 40, and a second ED DPI module 50. Thesubstantially flat cable module 40 may physically and electricallycouple the combined external PC and ED DPI module 20 and the second EDDPI module 50. The combined external PC and ED DPI module 20 may enablethe DCPSA 10A to couple to an external power source (120 in FIGS. 2A to2D) and to a first ED (130A in FIGS. 2A to 2D) via a coupling cable 82.The second ED DPI module 50 may enable the DCPSA 10A to simultaneouslyor separately couple to a second ED 130B (FIG. 2A, 2C).

The combined external PC and ED DPI module 20 may provide power (via theexternal power coupling) and communicate data via internal memory(“IMM”) 68 (FIG. 2A) or memory storage interface module (“MSIM”) 26D toan ED 130A via the ED DPI (26A, FIG. 1D). The ED DPI of the combinedexternal PC and ED DPI module 20 may include a female electricalinterface 26A where an electrical cable 82 having a mating maleconnector and ED connector may electrically couple the DCPSA 10A to afirst ED 130A. The second ED DPI module 50 may provide power (via thecable module 40 and module 20) and communicate data via the cable module40 and module 20 IMM 68 or MSIM 26D to another ED 130B. The second EDDPI 50 may include a male electrical interface 52A where an ED 130B mayhave mating female connector to enable the DCPSA 10A to electricallycouple to a second ED 130B via the second ED DPI module 50.

The substantially flat cable module 40 may include an extended middlesection 42C, first end 42A, and second end 42B. The cable module 40first end 42A may be physically and electrically coupled to the combinedexternal PC and ED DPI module 20. The cable module 40 second end 42B maybe physically and electrically coupled to the second ED DPI module 20.The cable module 40 may have a length of about 4 inches to 36 inches andbe substantially flat. The cable module 40 may have width of about 10 mmto 25 mm and about 17 mm in an embodiment. The cable module 40 may havea height of about 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm and about 2.5 mm in an embodiment.The cable module 40 may include a plurality of wires coupling thecombined external PC and ED DPI module 20 to the second ED DPI module50.

The cable module 40 plurality of wires may include one power supply wirepair (44A) (FIG. 2A, FIG. 2C) and two data communication wire pairs 44B,44C (FIG. 2A) in an embodiment. In another embodiment the cable module40 may include a single power supply wire pair (44A) (FIG. 2C), a singlepower supply wire pair 44A and a single data communication wire pair44B, 44C, or one or more power supply wire pairs 44A and one or moredata communication wire pairs 44B, 44C. The cable module 40 may bephysically covered by a flexible material including a polymer, plastic,silicon, rubber, or other flexible, substantially non-conductivematerial. The same material may cover a portion of the combined externalPC and ED DPI module 20 and second ED PDI module 50 (60 FIG. 1H).

The flexible cable module 40 may further include a cable storage linkingelement 43A. The linking element 43A may be include material thatsecurely and releasably mates with another linking element 43B (such asshow in bottom 54E of second ED DPI module 50 and 60 of FIG. 1G and FIG.1J). The linking element 43A may be a magnetic strip, Velcro® material,or other securably, releasably matable material where the linkingelement 43B may be a complementary material including a complementarymagnetic strip (opposite polarity) or Velcro® material in an embodimentto enable wrapping of cable module 40 about the combined external PC andED DPU module 20 where the second ED DPI module 50, 60 releasably locksto the cable module 40.

FIG. 1B is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA 10Acombined external PC and first ED DPI 20 module according to variousembodiments. FIG. 1C is a simplified bottom view diagram of an ED DCPSA10A combined external PC and ED DPI module 20 according to variousembodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C the combined external PC and EDDPI module 20 may have a top section 24A, side sections 24B, 24G, frontsection 24C, rear section 24E, and back flat section 24D adjacent thecable module 40 first end 42A. In an embodiment the combined external PCand ED DPI module 20 may be configured to couple to a female externaldirect current (“DC”) power source. Further the female external DC powersource may be a DC accessory or “cigarette lighter” DC power source. Themodule 20 may have a width of about 15 to 20 mm or about 17 mm in anembodiment and a height of about 5 to 13 mm or about 11 mm in anembodiment at the tip 24C and about 8 to 17 mm or about 15 mm at therear section 24E. The module 20 may have a rectangular shape to enable auser securely hold and deploy the module 20 in an external DC powersource 120.

The module 20 may include two side restorably deformable 22B, 22Celectrical contacts configured to couple with a first polarity of a DCsignal (from the DC power source 120) and a restorably deformable tip22A configured to couple with a second polarity of a DC signal. In anembodiment the first polarity may be a negative polarity (for theelectrical contacts 22B, 22C) and the second polarity may be a positivepolarity (for the electrical contact 22A). The combined external PC andED DPI module 20 may also include a power and data status indicator 28A.

The power and data status indicator 28A may include a user detectablegeneration device such a light generation device or module (78A, FIG. 2Ato 2D). In an embodiment the light generation device or module 28A maygenerate a first color or intensity to indicate the presence of power onthe electrical contacts 22B, 22C and opposite polarity contact 22A. Inan embodiment the light generation device or module 28A may generate adifferent, second color or intensity to indicate data communicatedbetween a first ED 130A coupled to the module 20 via a cable 82 and theED DPI 26A.

FIG. 1D is a simplified back 24E view diagram of an ED DCPSA 10Acombined external PC and ED DPI module 20 according to variousembodiments. FIG. 1E is a simplified diagram of an ED DCPSA 10A first EDDPI 26A according to various embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1Ethe first ED DPI 26A includes a plurality of electrical contacts B, acombination registration and memory slot tab 26D, and releasablydeformable physical deformable contacts 26C. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1Ethe DPI 26A may be a female type electrical connector. In an embodimentthe first ED DPI 26A may a female type universal serial bus connectorincluding a USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, mini A/B, or micro A/B. The DPI 26A mayinclude from 4 to 8 connectors where a pair may be a power pair and 2 to6 connectors may be data wires.

The PC electrical connectors 22A and 22B/C may be configured to receivea power signal having a voltage level from 3 to 24 volts and about 12volts nominally. The DPI 26A power connectors (number 1 and 4 for a USB1.0, 2.0 interface and 1 and 5 for a mini or micro USB interface) mayprovide a power signal having a voltage level from 3 to 6 volts andabout 4.75 to 5.25 volts nominally. The power signal may a current levelfrom about 100 mA to 1.5 A. The first ED DPI 26A may have an opening ofabout 11.5 mm (width) by 4.5 mm (height) for a standard USB femaleconnector, about 7 mm (width) by 3 mm (height) for a mini A/B USB femaleconnector, and about 7 mm (width) by 1.5 mm (height) for a micro A/B USBfemale connector.

In an embodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module 20 mayinclude a DC converter module 46A (FIGS. 2A to 2D). The DC convertermodule 46A may be electrically coupled to the PC contacts 22A and 22B/Cand the electrical contact power pair 26C of the ED DPI 26A. In anembodiment the DC converter module 46A may be any device or combinationof devices that may convert an input power signal to an output signalhaving a power level at or about the level required for the first ED DPI26A and the second ED DPI 52A.

In an embodiment the DC converter module 46A may include a transformer,step-down converter, or DC to DC converter including a buck converter.In an embodiment the DC converter may include a TI® chip LNM2825. Themodule 20 may also include an internal memory module 68 and a memorystorage interface module 26D (as part of the USB registration tab in anembodiment). The USB interface 26A may be electrically coupled to theIMM 68 and MSIM 26D data connectors 26B.

FIG. 1F is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA 10A secondED DPI module 50 according to various embodiments. FIG. 1G is asimplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA 10A second ED DPI module 50according to various embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1F and 1G, thesecond ED DPI module 50 may include a top section 54C, a first andsecond side 54B, 54F, a bottom section 54E, and a rear section 54Acoupled to the cable module 40 second end 42B. The second ED DPI module50 may also a user detectable signal generation module 56A and DPI 52A.

In an embodiment the DPI 52A may include one or more restorablydeflectable tabs 52B and a plurality of electrical connectors 52C. In anembodiment the ED DPI module 50 may be an ED specific interfaceincluding a 30-pin Apple® connector or portable digital media interface(PDMI). For an Apple® 30-pin connector power may be communicated on pins23 (+) and 16 (gnd) and data on pins 25 (data +) and 23 (data −). In anembodiment the ED DPI module 50 may be a male electrical connector thatmay be directly coupled to a reciprocal electrical connector (femaleApple® or PDMI connector in an embodiment).

The power and data status indicator 56A may include a user detectablegeneration device such a light generation device or module (78B, FIG. 2Ato 2D). In an embodiment the light generation device or module 56A maygenerate a first color or intensity to indicate the presence of power onthe electrical contacts 22B, 22C and opposite polarity contact 22A. Inan embodiment the light generation device or module 56A may generate adifferent, second color or intensity to indicate data communicatedbetween a second ED 130B coupled directly to the ED DPI module 50. In anembodiment the ED DPI 52A may be retractable within the module 50 frontwall 54D to protect the ED DPI 52A when not in use.

In an embodiment the user detectable element or generation module 28A,56A, 66A (FIG. 1I) may emit light, sound, vibration, or a combinationthereof. In an embodiment, the modules 78A, 78B (FIGS. 2A to 2D) mayinclude at least one light emitting diode (LED). In an embodiment theMSIM 26D may receive and communicate with one or more memory storageelements including a compact flash card, secure digital (SD), miniSD,microSD, SD high capacity (SDHC), miniSDHC, microSDHC, SD extendedcapacity, and memory stick. The MSIM 26D may also conform to the SDinput-output (SDIO) standard to enable memory card and other devices tocommunicate with and through ED DCPSA 10A, 10B and an ED 130A, 130B,130C. The other devices may include a Bluetooth interface and broadbanddata interface.

FIG. 1H is a simplified isometric view diagram of another electronicdevice (“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (“DCPSA”)10B according to various embodiments. FIG. 1I is a simplified isometricview diagram of another ED DCPSA second ED DPI module 60 according tovarious embodiments. FIG. 1J is a simplified front view diagram ofanother ED DCPSA second ED DPI module 60 according to variousembodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1H-1J the other, second ED DPI module 60may include a top section 64C, a first and second side 64B, 64F, abottom section 64E, and a rear section 64A coupled to the cable module40 second end 42B. The other second ED DPI module 60 may also a userdetectable signal generation module 66A and DPI 62A.

In an embodiment the DPI 62A may include an outer casing 62B and aplurality of electrical connectors 62C. In an embodiment the ED DPImodule 60 may be a generic interface usable by multiple ED 130C. In anembodiment the ED DPI module 60 may be a USB interface including astandard USB, mini A/B, or micro A/B. The ED DPI module 60 may be a maleelectrical connector that may be directly coupled to a reciprocalelectrical connector (female USB connector in an embodiment).

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture 100A including anexternal DC power source 120, an ED DCPSA 10A, a chargeable or powerableED 130A, and a second ED 130B according to various embodiments. The EDDCPSA 10A may be coupled to the external DC power source 120. A first DCpowered ED 130A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA 10A via an electricalcable 82. A second DC powered ED may be directly coupled to the ED DCPSA10A. The ED DCPSA 10A may include a combined external PC and ED DPImodule 20A, a cable module 40A, and a second ED DPI module 50A. Thecombined external PC and ED DPI module 20A may be coupled to the secondED DPI module 50A via the cable module 40A. The first DC powered ED 130Amay be coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module 20A USBmodule 26A via an electrical cable 82. The electrical cable 82 mayinclude a USB connector on a first end to electrically and physicallycouple to the USB interface 26A. The electrical cable 82 may include asecond connector on a second end to electrically and physically coupleto the DC powered ED interface 132A. The DC powered ED interface 132Amay be device specific or a USB interface in an embodiment.

The second DC powered ED 130B may be directly coupled to the second EDDPI module 50A interface 52A. The DC powered ED 130B interface 132B mayhave a complementary electrical and physical configuration to theelectrical and physical configuration of the interface 52A. In anembodiment, the ED DPI module 50A interface 52A may include a maleelectrical connector and the DC powered ED 130B interface 132B mayinclude a female electrical connector. In an embodiment the interfaces52A, 132B may be reciprocal device specific interfaces such as an Apple® or other 30 pin interface (52A, FIG. 1F). In a further embodiment theinterfaces (62A FIG. 1I), (132C, FIGS. 2B, 2D) may be reciprocal USBinterfaces.

The combined external PC and ED DPI module 20A may include powercoupling elements 22, a DC converter module 46A, an internal memorymodule (IMM) 68, a memory storage interface module (MSIM) 26D, an USBinterface 26A, and a LED module 78A. The power coupling elements 22 maycouple the DC powered source 120 to the DC converter module 46A. Thepower coupling elements 22 may include two or more electrical contacts22A and 22B, 22C. The DC converter module 46A may receive the DC powersignal from the power coupling elements 22 and convert the DC powersignal to a power signal having a voltage and amperage level requiredfor the first DC powered ED 130A or second DC powered ED 130B. The DCconverter module 46A may include a transformer or DC to DC converter.The DC converter module 46A may be coupled to the USB interface 26A andthe signal generation module 78A to provide power to the USB interface26A and a first DC powered ED 130A via the electrical cable 82.

The second ED DPI 50A may include an interface 52A and a signalgeneration module 78B. In an embodiment the signal generation 78B mayinclude a one or more LED drivers 78B. The cable module 40A may includewire pairs 44A, 44B, 44C. Wire pair 44A may couple power generated bythe DC converter module 46A to the interface 52A and signal generationmodule 78B. The wire pair 44B may couple the IMM 68 to the interface52A. The wire pair 44C may couple the MSIM 26D to the interface 52A. Theinterface 52A receive the power signal and data signals and provide thepower signal and communicate the data signals via the interface 52A tothe second DC powered ED 130B.

In an embodiment, the DC powerable ED 130A, 130B may include arechargeable electrical storage element 37A, 37B and memory 39A, 39B.The ED DCPSA 10A may provide electrical energy to one or more devices130A, 130B via the USB interface 26A or interface 52A that is sufficientto a) power the ED 130A, 130B, b) charge an electrical storage element37A, 37B of the ED 130A, 130B, and c) simultaneously power an ED 130A,130B and charge an electrical storage element 37A, 37B, 37C (FIG. 2B,2D) of the ED 130A, 130B, and 130C. The electrical storage element 37A,37B may be a re-chargeable battery (including chemical and non-chemicalsuch as NiCad, lithium-ion), capacitor, or other device capable oftemporarily storing electrical energy. The ED DCPSA 10A may auto-detectthe energy or power requirements of an ED 130A, 130B coupled to the USBinterface 26A or interface 52A.

Data communicated between an ED 130A, 130B and ED DCPSA 10A may bestored in one or more IMM (68) or another device coupled to a MSIM 26D.As noted the MSIM 26D may enable communication with various memorystorage elements and other devices that communicate with one or moreknown communication protocols including SDIO. In an embodiment, an ED130A, 130B may store data in an internal data storage element or memorystorage interface 39A, 39B. An ED DCPSA 10A, 10B (FIG. 2B) may passivelyor automatically backup all data, specific data, changed data, orspecific changed data of an ED 130A, 130B, 130C to one or both of theIMM 68 and the MSIM 26D.

A user may be able to configure a ED DCPSA 10A, 10B (FIG. 2B) via a USBinterface 26A, interface 52A, 62A (FIG. 2B) to passively backup datalocated on an ED 130A, 130B, 130C. The ED DCPSA 10A, 10B may detect thedata or changes to the data and backup all data or changes of data as afunction of the elected backup configuration. A user may selectdifferent backup modes including full (all data) and incremental backup(only data that has changed since the last backup). A user may alsoselect the type of data to be copied (backed up)—such as selecting oneor more of personal contacts, music, video, pictures, word documents,spreadsheets, or other specific data types. A user may also be able toconfigure an ED DCPSA 10A, 10B to restore backed up to a specific ED130A, 130B, 130C.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture 100B including anexternal DC power source 120, an ED DCPSA 10B, a chargeable or powerableED 130A, and a second ED 130C according to various embodiments. The EDDCPSA 10B may be coupled to the external DC power source 120. A first DCpowered ED 130A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA 10A via an electricalcable 82. A second DC powered ED 130C may be directly coupled to the EDDCPSA 10A via a USB interface. The ED DCPSA 10B may include a combinedexternal PC and ED DPI module 20B, a cable module 40B, and a second EDDPI module 50B. The combined external PC and ED DPI module 20B may becoupled to the second ED DPI module 50B via the cable module 40B. Thefirst DC powered ED 130A may be coupled to the combined external PC andED DPI module 20B USB module 26A via an electrical cable 82.

The second DC powered ED 130C may be directly coupled to the second EDDPI module 60A interface 62A. The DC powered ED 130C interface 132C mayhave a complementary electrical and physical configuration to theelectrical and physical configuration of the interface 62A. In anembodiment, the ED DPI module 60A interface 62A may include a maleelectrical connector and the DC powered ED 130C interface 132C mayinclude a female electrical connector. In an embodiment the interfaces62A FIG. 1I, 132C, FIGS. 2B, 2D may be reciprocal USB interfaces.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture 100C including anexternal DC power source 120, an ED DCPSA 10C, a chargeable or powerableED 130A, and a second ED 130B according to various embodiments. The EDDCPSA 10C may be coupled to the external DC power source 120. A first DCpowered ED 130A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA 10C via an electricalcable 82. A second DC powered ED 130B may be directly coupled to the EDDCPSA 10C via a device specific interface. The ED DCPSA 10C may includea combined external PC and ED DPI module 20C, a cable module 40C, and asecond ED DPI module 50C. The combined external PC and ED DPI module 20Cmay be coupled to the second ED DPI module 50B via the cable module 40C.The first DC powered ED 130A may be coupled to the combined external PCand ED DPI module 20C USB module 26A via an electrical cable 82.

The second DC powered ED 130B may be directly coupled to the second EDDPI module 50B interface 52A. The DC powered ED 130B interface 132B mayhave a complementary electrical and physical configuration to theelectrical and physical configuration of the interface 52A. In anembodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module 20C includes thepower coupling elements 22, DC converter module 46A and USB interface26A. The cable module 40C may include a single power wire pair 44A. Thesingle power wire pair 44A may couple the DC converter module 46A to theinterface 52A second ED DPI 50B. Given the cable module 40C has a singlewire pair 44A the cable module 40C height may be reduced. In anembodiment the data wire pair of the USB interface 26A may be shunted toground. In an embodiment a DC powered ED 130A may enable fast chargingwhen the interface 132A detects the data wire pair is shunted to ground.

FIG. 2D is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture 100D including anexternal DC power source 120, an ED DCPSA 10D, a chargeable or powerableED 130A, and a second DC powered ED 130C according to variousembodiments. The ED DCPSA 10D may be coupled to the external DC powersource 120. A first DC powered ED 130A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA10D via an electrical cable 82. A second DC powered ED 130C may bedirectly coupled to the ED DCPSA 10D via a USB interface 62A. The EDDCPSA 10D may include a combined external PC and ED DPI module 20D, acable module 40D, and a second ED DPI module 60B. The combined externalPC and ED DPI module 20D may be coupled to the second ED DPI module 60Bvia the cable module 40D. The first DC powered ED 130A may be coupled tothe combined external PC and ED DPI module 20D USB module 26A via anelectrical cable 82.

The second DC powered ED 130C may be directly coupled to the second EDDPI module 60B interface 62A. The DC powered ED 130C interface 132C mayhave a complementary electrical and physical configuration to theelectrical and physical configuration of the interface 62A. In anembodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module 20D includes thepower coupling elements 22, DC converter module 46A and USB interface26A. The cable module 40C may include a single power wire pair 44A. Thesingle power wire pair 44A may couple the DC converter module 46A to theinterface 62A second ED DPI 60B. Given the cable module 40C has a singlewire pair 44A the cable module 40C height may be reduced. In anembodiment the data wire pair of the USB interface 26A may be shunted toground. In an embodiment a DC powered ED 130A may enable fast chargingwhen the interface 132A detects the data wire pair is shunted to ground.

Any of the components previously described can be implemented in anumber of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the componentspreviously described can be implemented in a number of ways, includingembodiments in software. Thus, the power coupling elements 22, the USBinterface 26A, the interface 52A, and the interface 62A may all becharacterized as “modules” herein.

The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processorcircuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects,firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of thearchitecture 10 and as appropriate for particular implementations ofvarious embodiments. The apparatus and systems of various embodimentsmay be useful in applications other than a sales architectureconfiguration. They are not intended to serve as a complete descriptionof all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that mightmake use of the structures described herein.

Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of variousembodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers,communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single ormulti-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, dataswitches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer,multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be includedas sub-components within and couplable to a variety of electronicsystems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers(e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tabletcomputers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players(e.g., mp3 players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor,blood pressure monitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include anumber of methods.

It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in anorder other than the order described. Various activities described withrespect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive,serial, or parallel fashion. A software program may be launched from acomputer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functionsdefined in the software program. Various programming languages may beemployed to create software programs designed to implement and performthe methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in anobject-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Javaor C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in aprocedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such asassembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number ofmechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as applicationprogram interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, includingremote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are notlimited to any particular programming language or environment.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any single invention or inventive concept, if more thanone is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have beenillustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achievethe same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description,various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less thanall features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing power to a portableelectronic device (PED), the PED including an electrical energy storageelement, including: a first housing, the first housing mechanicallyseparatably from the PED, the first housing substantially including afirst power interface module (PIM), the first PIM including at least twoelectrical contacts configured to be releasably and directly coupledwith the PED, the PIM at least two electrical contacts configured toprovide a direct current (DC) power signal; and a second housing, thesecond housing physically separate from the PED and coupled to the firsthousing via a substantially flat, flexible cable, the second housingincluding an external power source interface (EPSI), the (EPSI)including at least two separate electrical contacts configured toreceive a DC electrical signal, and a converter module coupled to theEPSI, the converter module converting a DC signal from the EPSI having afirst voltage level to a DC signal having a lower, second voltage level;the substantially flat, flexible cable fixably coupling the firsthousing to the second housing and including at least one wire pair, thewire pair coupling the first housing first PIM at least two electricalcontacts to the second housing converter module to provide the DC signalhaving the lower, second voltage level to the first PIM at least twoelectrical contacts.
 2. The apparatus for providing power to a PED ofclaim 1, further including a user perceptible signal generation moduleencased in one of the first housing and the second housing, the signalgeneration module providing an indication of a DC signal being receivedby the second housing EPSI at least two separate electrical contacts. 3.The apparatus for providing power to a PED of claim 1, wherein thesecond housing has a width and a height and the height is less than thewidth and the EPSI is a male type electrical interface.
 4. The apparatusfor providing power to a PED of claim 3, wherein the substantially flat,flexible cable has a width about equal to the width of the secondhousing and a height less than half of the first housing height.
 5. Theapparatus for providing power to a PED of claim 1, wherein the secondhousing further includes a second power interface module (PIM), thesecond PIM including at least two electrical contacts configured to becoupled to a second electronic device, the second PIM at least twoelectrical contacts coupled to the converter module to provide thesignal having the lower, second power level to the second PIM at leasttwo electrical contacts.
 6. The apparatus for providing power to a PEDof claim 1, wherein the first voltage level is about 10-13 volts, andthe second voltage level is about 3-5 volts.
 7. The apparatus forproviding power to a PED of claim 1, wherein the second housing furtherincludes a second, female-type power interface module (PIM), the secondPIM including at least two electrical contacts configured to beindirectly coupled to a second electronic device, the second PIM atleast two electrical contacts coupled to the converter module to providethe signal having the lower, second power level to the second PIM atleast two electrical contacts.
 8. The apparatus for providing power to aPED of claim 1, wherein the second housing, the first housing, and thecable are shaped so the cable can be coiled about the second housing andone of the cable and the cable and first housing including storagelinking elements to releasably secure the cable about the secondhousing.
 9. The apparatus for providing power to a PED of claim 1, thesecond housing further including an internal data storage module (DSM)and wherein the first PIM enables communication of data between theinternal DSM and a coupled PED.
 10. The apparatus for providing power toa PED of claim 1, the second housing further including an externalmemory storage interface module (EMSIM) and wherein the first PIMenables communication of data between the EMSIM and a coupled PED. 11.An apparatus for providing power to a first portable electronic devicePED and a second PED, the apparatus including: a first housing, thefirst housing mechanically separatably from the PEDs, the first housingsubstantially including a first power interface module (PIM), the firstPIM including at least two electrical contacts configured to bereleasably and directly coupled with one of the first and the secondPED, the PIM at least two electrical contacts configured to provide adirect current (DC) power signal; a second housing, the second housingphysically separate from the PEDs and coupled to the first housing via aflexible cable, the second housing including an external power sourceinterface (EPSI), the EPSI including at least two separate electricalcontacts configured to receive a DC electrical signal, a convertermodule coupled to the EPSI, the converter module converting a DC signalfrom the EPSI having a first voltage level to a DC signal having alower, second voltage level, and a second power interface module (PIM),the second PIM including a least two electrical contacts configured tobe indirectly coupled with the other of the first and the second PED andcoupled to the converter module to provide the DC signal having thelower, second voltage level to the second PIM at least two electricalcontacts; and the flexible cable fixably coupling the first housing tothe second housing and including at least one wire pair, the wire paircoupling the first housing first PIM at least two electrical contacts tothe second housing converter module to provide the DC signal having thelower, second voltage level to the first PIM at least two electricalcontacts.
 12. The apparatus for providing power to a first PED and asecond PED of claim 11, further including a user perceptible signalgeneration module encased in one of the first housing and the secondhousing, the signal generation module providing an indication of a DCsignal being received by the second housing EPSI at least two separateelectrical contacts.
 13. The apparatus for providing power to a firstPED and a second PED of claim 11, wherein the flexible cable is asubstantially flat flexible cable.
 14. The apparatus for providing powerto a first PED and a second PED of claim 13, wherein the second housinghas a width and a height and the height is less than the width.
 15. Theapparatus for providing power to a first PED and a second PED of claim14, wherein the substantially flat cable has a width about equal to thewidth of the second housing and a height less than half of the firsthousing height and a length of at least 6 inches.
 16. The apparatus forproviding power to a first PED and a second PED of claim 11, wherein theother of the first and the second PED has a standardized specific powerinterface and the first PIM includes a mating standardized specificpower interface.
 17. An apparatus for providing power to a portableelectronic device (PED), the PED including an electrical energy storageelement, including: a first housing, the first housing mechanicallyseparatably from the PED, the first housing substantially including afirst power interface module (PIM), the first PIM including at least twoelectrical contacts configured to be releasably and directly coupledwith the PED, the PIM at least two electrical contacts configured toprovide a direct current (DC) power signal; a second housing, the secondhousing physically separate from the PED and coupled to the firsthousing via a flexible cable, the second housing including an externalpower source interface (EPSI), the (EPSI) including at least twoseparate electrical contacts configured to receive a DC electricalsignal, and a converter module coupled to the EPSI, the converter moduleconverting a DC signal from the EPSI having a first voltage level to aDC signal having a lower, second voltage level; the flexible cablefixably coupling the first housing to the second housing and includingat least one wire pair, the wire pair coupling the first housing firstPIM at least two electrical contacts to the second housing convertermodule to provide the DC signal having the lower, second voltage levelto the first PIM at least two electrical contacts; and the secondhousing, the first housing, and the cable shaped so the cable can becoiled about the second housing and one of the cable and the cable andfirst housing including storage linking elements to releasably securethe cable about the second housing.
 18. The apparatus for providingpower to a PED of claim 17, further including a user perceptible signalgeneration module encased in one of the first housing and the secondhousing, the signal generation module providing an indication of a DCsignal being received by the second housing EPSI at least two separateelectrical contacts.
 19. The apparatus for providing power to a PED ofclaim 17, wherein the second housing has a width and a height and theheight is less than the width and the EPSI is a male type electricalinterface.
 20. The apparatus for providing power to a PED of claim 19,wherein the flexible cable is a substantially flat, flexible cable, hasa width about equal to the width of the second housing, and a heightless than half of the first housing height.